In the southern Turkey, lives a certain variety of crane. These birds tend to make a lot of noise, especially while flying. All that noise captures the attention of eagles, which swoop down and seize them for a meal. The experienced cranes avoid this threat by picking up stones large enough to fill their mouths. This prevents them from making noise and from becoming lunch for the eagles.
We have issues with our mouths too. Now I’m not telling you to run out and put stones in your mouth but some people may want to give this some thought.
In my work, I’m required to answer the phone in a technical support aspect. 99.9% of the time, these calls, though challenging, are very rewarding! Yesterday, I had one not so rewarding. This lady had the proverbial potty mouth. Listening to her you would think that God’s last name began with ‘D’.
It wasn’t an occasional slip either, every other sentence was a abomination. Okay, she was upset! She made me very upset with putting the Lord’s name in vain. It visibly and mentally exhausted me listening to this person. No other phone call to date has significantly disturbed me as this call did.
I have had people swear on the phone before, but it was the way they talked (not permissive but we pick our battles). ‘Being a retired sailor, this language doesn’t bother me though I’d rather not hear it.
James 3:8-10
8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God. 10 Out of the same mouth precede blessing and cursing.
What is Profanity? The dictionary defines it as, "Characterized by irreverence for God, impious, base..., a profane act or utterance". Profanity is usually language that involves taking God’s name in vain. It is vile or vulgar language. It is language that is viciously degrading to others. Does the Bible condemn profanity?
YES!
Matthew 15:17-20
17Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19For out of the heart precede evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies. 20These are the things which defile a man...."
Profanity is an indication of what’s in the heart! It’s an indication of the immorality of man!
Continuing in James:
James 3:10-14, 17, 18
10 Out of the same mouth precede blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
I love that!
Sow in peace = reap righteousness!
Speak Love = reap Love!
Maybe you have a problem with your language. The Bible clearly says "no man can control the tongue"!
If you truly want to clean up your language, go to God. What’s impossible for man is possible for God!
Instead of using ‘D’ as God’s last name...let’s use ‘L’ as in Love or Lives.
God Loves!
God Lives!
Those are much better last names!
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